Paul Henshaw

Desk Filled Battle Field

June 2014

SAWN UP TREE STUMPS IN MY VIEW

MY MOUNTAIN RISES ON HORIZONS LIKE SOME HOLY CLUE

BRANCHES BLOCK MY LINE OF SIGHT

DIVERTS MY FOCUS FROM THE PROBLEMS OF MY REAL FIGHT

I DON’T KNOW, THE REASON WHY I STAY HERE X 2

A DESK FILLED BATTLE FIELD AGAIN

HISTORY OF POLITICS AND BLAMELESS FACES NOW AND THEN

AM I THE TROUBLESOME ONE NOW

STRATEGIC THINKING NEEDED, BE RID OF ME, JUST WHEN AND HOW

I LOOK AT YOU AND THERES NO FIGHT,

NO AGGRESSION OR PLANS FOR FLIGHT,

LIKE A BULLY ON THE STAIRS

NO ARGUMENT JUST NOTHING THERE

WILL YOU PLEASE JUST HIT ME BACK

SO I FEEL SOMETHING AS I WRACK

MY BATTERED SENSES SEARCHING MORE

IS THIS REALLY WORTH FIGHTING FOR

BUT IS THIS THE FIGHT I LOVE

I FIGHT INCOMPETENCE AND INEFFICIENCIES ABOVE

BUT MY STRATEGY JUST LOST SOME FLAIR

I LOST ALL INTEREST WHEN I REALIZED I JUST DON’T CARE   

Black Sky Thinking

July 2014

BLACK SKYS, LADEN EYES

DISTANT VOICES, INTEREST DIES

MY WORN UNIFORM FROM AN UN CIVIL WAR

DISOLVING WAVES MARKS FROM MY BODY ON THE SHORE

THEN THE SUN SHINES THROUGH THE CLOUD

CASTS OFF ITS CHARCOAL SHROUD

AS I STEP FORWARD FROM THE CROWD

I AM FREE

PROTECTED BY THE SEAS THAT MEET

WITH ENGLISH COASTS

WHY ALL THESE FIRES, WHY GLIDING GHOSTS

AND SHAKESPEARE WRITES, AS WILLIAM KEMP

DANCES HARD MILES TO HIS DEATH

I AM FREE, I AM FREE

SUNS RISE BUT ENERGY DRAINS

SEROTONIN RUNNING WILD, SCARS MY BRAIN

I RACE THROUGH ENDLESS COUNRTY ROADS, TOWARD MUNDANE

SAT IN A STATION AFTER STEPPING OFF THIS FREIGHT TRAIN

CHURCHES OF ROME

JULY 22ND 2014

I’M STANDING ON THE ROOF, OF A MULTI STOREY CAR PARK

IN THE MIDDLE OF MY HOMETOWN, IT’S DARK

AND THE VIEW ACROSS CHIMNEYS OBSCURED BY LENGTHENED SHADOWS

IS HOME TO THE JOURNEY I’LL EMBARK

AND THANKS TO ALL MY PEERS WHO FILLED ME WITH THE LIES OF HOW EVERYTHING WAS MY FAULT SO THAT,

NO ONE WILL EVER LISTEN, WHEN I TAKE THE BOARDS THIS LAST TIME, AND ALL MY IDEAS WILL FALL FLAT

AS I FALL I CAN PICK OUT KNOWN FACES BELOW

CAST ME UPWARDS, MY STAGE LIGHTS ARE STARTING TO GLOW

AND MAY ALL THE BRIDGES I BURN, LIGHT ME AN EASY WAY HOME

AND THOSE WHO KISS THEIR OWN FEET STAND WEAKENED AS CHURCHES OF ROME

AND CAST ME ONE SIMPLE THOUGHT AND FIND WHY THIS PRIDE IS LIKE STONE

IN GREEN FIELDS FOREVER MORE, MY ASHES AND SPIRIT ROAMS

FOR THE FOOLS WHO WASTE TIME, PREACHING THEIR DESPAIR,

WITH DEEPER AND DARKENED MORALS

THERE’S CAREERS IN THE CLERGY AND MORE IN WESTMINSTER, LIE BACK AND BREATHE DEEP IN LAURELS

I ASK HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR POVERTY SERVED, IS IT COLD OR COLDER STILL,

REVOLUTIONS FROM BEDROOMS THAT PROVED SUCH A LET DOWN AND BOLTED THE GATES AT THE MILL

AS I FALL I CAN PICK OUT KNOWN FACES BELOW

CAST ME UPWARDS, MY STAGE LIGHTS ARE STARTING TO GLOW

AND MAY THE BRIDGES I BURN, LIGHT ME AN EASY WAY HOME

THOSE WHO KISS THEIR OWN FEET STAND WEAKENED AS CHURCHES OF ROME

AND CAST ME ONE SIMPLE THOUGHT AND FIND WHY THIS PRIDE IS LIKE STONE

IN GREEN FIELDS FOREVER MORE MY ASHES AND SPIRIT ROAMS

I DECLARE SHENANIGANS

NOV 26TH / 27TH 2014

I REMEMBER STANDING IN THAT ROOM AT NUMBER 63

MY GRANDMOTHER BY THE COAL FIRE, WITH MY POCKET MONEY

WE PUT ON COATS & HATS, THE WALK TO THE SHOP IS SO LONG,

WHEN YOU HAVE CASH BURNING YOUR HAND,

FOR THE NEW IRON MAIDEN SONG

I KICKED AND SCREAMED AS I WAS DRAGGED TO HUNDREDS OF JAZZ SHOWS

TO LOUIS BELSON, BUDDY RICH, JOHN DANKWORTH AND NYJO,

BUT MY HEAD CRAVED THE SOUND OF FEEDING BACK GUITARS AND DRUMS

PLAYED WITH ANGER AND A PASSION, KNOWING THAT WHEN THE TIME COMES

WE’LL ALL SING OI, OI, OI, DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD DO?

MEET ME DOWN THE FRONT TO SING AND DANCE JUST ME AND YOU

AND THEN SHOUT OI, OI, OI, AS THE BAND EXPLODES ON THE STAGE,

SO TO ALL THE NON BELIEVERS, LETS DECLARE SHENANIGANS AGAIN

I TRIED TO BE A MOD MY PARKER ZIPPED UP TO MY NECK

AND NEW ROMANTISISM LEFT ME A HAIRSPRAYED CHOKING WRECK

AND 12 BAR BLUES BORED ME TO DEATH, ITS DANGER THAT I NEED

SO I DANCED WITH A BUNCH OF STRANGERS AND THEN I TOOK THE LEAD

A LACK OF HONESTY LED ME TO PICK UP A GUITAR

SPEND ENDLESS HOURS AND MILES, SLEEPING IN MY BATTERED CAR

TO STAND ON STAGE, UNLEASHING RAGE, CROSS ENGLANDS COUNTRY LANES

THEN ANOTHER 100 MILES TO TREAD THE BOARDS AND SING AGAIN

I’VE SEEN THE ROAD OF ANGELS AND WIND GODS IN OLD NANCHANG,

AND PLAYED MY SONGS AND SHARED A DRINK WITH A CHINESE PUNK BAND

SCREAMED TILL I LOST MY VOICE IN A WISCONSIN COFFEE HOUSE

GOT SOAKED IN CZ REPUBLIC BEER, AS CROWDS SANG “RAISE YOUR GLASS”  

SILENCE NOT ACCEPTANCE

JAN 2015

I turned my heels to run away

I wish that I had shut my mouth

I wish that I had less to say

But I threw that beer can at your head

A moment of teenage bravery

If you catch me, I’ll soon be dead

I know, things I tended to do

Before the wisdom got let in

And stuff I put you through

I listened as I was led astray

But please don’t take my silence, as acceptance of what you say

I reach the top of Claremont Hill

I jump the wall of old St Chads

Congratulating my immense skill

As the rain soaks through my ripped band shirt

It’s blue lights thru amphetamines

Its tough enough to stay alert

An example of my misspent youth

Confusing alcohol with courage

It’s difficult to hear some truths

ANOTHER PROTEST SONG 

Jan 2015

If I hear another protest song about Fat Cat politicians

I’ll take my guitar and shove it up your ass

Because of all the songs about their greed I never truly listened

And the clichés that you use are just old hat

So tell me honestly, if you’ll ever be really happy

Because from where I am standing your World doesn’t look too shabby

And I’m not saying turn your back when people really need us

Will you be on the front line or just adding to the mess

CHORUS

So please excuse me, I’m going to walk away

But carry on cos you’ve got to have your say

I don’t believe that everyone in government’s corrupt and wrong

But I see that it’s working class thing, to write another fucking protest song!

My life got really confusing about the time that I was born

And got progressively more difficult each day

Then college didn’t better school apart from girls and drinking

So I found that smiling at life soothes the way

Now I’m too busy reading mails from a solicitor in Uganda

And some unknown girl who is back in town and selling me Viagra

And I’m not knocking you, you write about what you abhor

Just you do it from the comfort of your air conditioned 4 x4

CHORUS

Now I’m not even sure if I agree with me completely

And some of what I wrote above is lies

And from my own experience, nothing lasts forever

So I am going to smile cos FUCK it our time flies!

So I’ll just carry spouting on about when I was younger

Listening to the songs I like, sung with passion and hunger

And not because I wish I was born a digger or a leveller

That’s all for you to do your worst, I’m a happy drunken reveller

GONE

September 2014 – Jan 25th 2015

OPEN ARMS TOWARDS THE SKY

TEAR TRACKS FROM STINGING EYES

RECALL YOUR VOICE AND NOT ASK WHY

ITS GONE, SO LONG,

I STAND HERE IN YOUR GARDEN

AND ASK WHAT WENT WRONG

WITHIN A YEAR I CROSSED THE SEA

TO THE MEMORIAL WHERE I LEFT YOUR BODY

A VIEW WITH THREE COUNTRIES SHORELINES

AND IM BACK THERE, FROZEN I STARE

ACROSS THE ROLLING HEATHERED HILLS

I SHOUT, HEAR MY PRAYER

THERE IS NO DAY

THAT PASSES ME

THAT I DON’T LOOK INTO THE STARS

AND WONDER IF YOU CAN SEE ME

WHEN I NEEDED HELP

A GUIDING ARM

WRAPPED AROUND MY WAIST

PROTECTING ME FROM SCARS

YOUR FACE ETCHED IN MEMORIES

SOVERIGN SMILE, AND DRAWERS EMPTIED

LOST TIMES AND NO RETURN

LIVES LOST, IN DUST, LINES CROSSED NO TIME TO LEARN

GONE

GONE

GONE

YOU’RE GONE

FOOTLIGHTS

WE’VE RE-FOUND, THE SAME SOUND

THAT’S BEEN PLAYED, A HUNDRED YEARS

AS WE STAND, BY LAMPLIGHT

AS CURTAINS PART, TO OUR PEERS

AS WE TURN OUR STARRY FACES TO THE SKY

THROUGH GREASE PAINTED CAMOFLAGE, AND BLACKENED EYES

A THOUSAND ARTISTS DIED,

AND ANOTHER THOUSAND DREAMS CRUMBLE WITH PRIDE  

CANDLELIGHTS, BLIND STREAMING MINDS

AND MOUTHS DRY, TATTERED CAREERS

THE CHEAP SEATS, FILL EVERY NIGHT

AS THE ROUSING HOARD, CHORUS IN JEERS

AND YOUR STOMACH TIES ITSELF ANOTHER KNOT

SWALLOW HARD ON ANOTHER DRUNKEN SHOT

WILL THIS BE THE ONE

TO MAKE THEM LAUGH OR CRY, THEIR FAVOURITE SONG

DUST LIES, IN CREASED VELOUR

GOLD EPAULETTES, WORN IN LIVES

MANY MEN, HAVE TROD THESE BOARDS

ONLY THOSE THAT TREAD WILL SURVIVE  

AS WE TURN OUR STARRY FACES TO THE SKY

THROUGH GREASE PAINTED CAMOFLAGE, AND BLACKENED EYES

A THOUSAND ARTISTS DIED,

AND ANOTHER THOUSAND DREAMS CRUMBLE WITH PRIDE  

BANDAGES AND GLUE

April 2015

And there’s nothing more I’d like to do

Than spend a lifetime, falling in and out of love with you

As confusing as this has been

I look back with a mind of laughs and shattered dreams

But as lines dig into our skin

It’s time that honesty is something we let in

We’re not designed to be alone

So let’s cast shackles tied aside, and share a home

And it’s you that stops the pain

I got my bandaged, battered heart back again

It was you,

Who fixed me with your bandages and glue

And you fixing me

Lightened scars that littered my body

Nothing ever really went

As smoothly as I thought it should, and I’d have to vent

About why we are intertwined

But acceptance of the fact was such a torrid grind

And now it’s clear and I want to say

I wouldn’t change a thing that got us to this day

No cigarettes stubbed on my arms

Smashed glasses, or thrown food or broken smoke alarms

And I owe you

For lines that you drew

But you owe me too, you owe me too

A JOURNEY OF FRIENDS NOT MILES

10TH MAY 2015

AND TODAYS THE DAY THAT HISTORY WILL BE MADE

BUT I WAS TOO BUSY NOT HAVING MY SAY

APATHY KEPT ME IN BED, SO I SET FIRE TO MY STREET CRED

AND I DON’T KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT ME NOW

I SPENT HOURS READING PEOPLES THOUGHTS

AND SIFTING CIDER DROWNED OUT WORDS THAT I WAS TAUGHT

I FOUND A TON OF STUFF THAT STUCK, AND MORE FROM WHEN I GAVE A FUCK

AND IM NOT SURE I LIKE WHO I AM NOW

SO STAND AND SHOUT IT FROM THE BEDROOMS

AND SHOUT IT FROM YOUR LIVING ROOMS

SHOUT LIKE A YOUTH, NO CARE OR THOUGHT

AND LEAVE YOUR BOOTS IN MIDDLE GROUND

AND FLY THE FLAG THAT YOU JUST FOUND

ON BOUNDARY WALLS WHERE ONCE WE STOOD AND FOUGHT

WHEN MORTGAGES AND ISAS RULED MY LIFE

AND 3AM ALRMS ANNOYED EX WIFES

I KNEW IT WASN’T ME AT ALL, TIED TO FINANCIAL WRECKING BALLS

MAYBE IM NOT SUCH A BAD GUY NOW

SOME SAID I HAD A MIDLIFE BREAKDOWN

BUT I WAS SMILING UNDER MY PASTED ON FROWN

COS I CUT FREE MY MOORING ROPE, AND SCRAMBLED UP AN INCLINED SLOPE

AND I FUCKING LOVE THE PERSON I AM NOW

WE ALL OWE OURSELVES TIME AND THEN SOME FUN

BUT THE REAL SELFISH ONES WILL TELL YOU

THAT’S THE QUICKEST WAY TO HELL, YOU’LL NEVER RIGN THE VICTORY BELL

AND YOUR LIFE IS MEANINGLESS, BUT I BELIEVE THAT

AT 16 I HAD SO MUCH OF LIVE TO LIVE

AND FROM WHAT I SEE A FAIR AMOUNT TO GIVE

BUT AS WE ALL CLING ON TO LIFE

EXPENSE REPORTS AND CARS AND WIVES

REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT WHEN WE WE’RE KIDS

UNTITLED BLUES SONG

10TH MAY 2015

A ONCE SWEET GIRL, DRIVES DOWN THE AIRPORT DROP OFF RAMP

A 4 HOUR DRIVE TO A NEW MAN

AND I TURN ROUND TO STARE AT THE ARRIVALS DOOR

I’D STOOD IN JUST 6 HOURS BEFORE

TIME TO PLAN, JUST WHAT I AM GOING TO DO

AS MY LIFE STARTS JUST WITHOUT YOU

I DROP MY CASE THAT I EMPTIED OF ENGLISH TREATS

AND SIT DOWN ON CHICAGOS STREETS

THE TOUGHEST PART OF LETTING GO, WAS REALIZING I ALREADY HAD

TO THEN LET GO OF ALL THOSE PLANS

FOR THE LIFE THAT WAS WAITING HERE FOR ME

SO IN AIRPORTS I NUMBLY RIDE THE MONORAILS

KNOWING IT WASN’T ME THAT FAILED

AND TRUTH BE TOLD I’LL NEVER SEE YOU HOLDING HANDS

OR CARESSING ANOTHER MAN

AND AS THAT’S GOOD, I CAN’T HELP THINKING THAT WOULD HELP

TO BUILD PROTECTION FOR MYSELF

MY BORED MIND FALLS BACK TO WHEN WE WERE TWO

AND JUST HOW MUCH I HATED YOU

UNLIKE BEFORE, I NEVER WONDERED WHAT OR WHO YOU’RE DOING NOW, AND THAT’S THE TRUTH

I FEEL PITY FOR THE POOR SOUL, WHOSE WALKING ON

THE EGGSHELLS THAT YOU FROWN UPON

ON THE FLIGHT HOME, THE FIRST OF ENDLESS VOICEMAILS CAME

YOUR WORRIED NOW, OH WHAT A SHAME

FREEDOM AGAIN, AN ESCAPE THAT’S CLEAR TO SEE

NONE OF YOUR FUCKING CLAWS IN ME

MY LAST RANT

1ST / 2ND JUNE 2015

I KNOW THAT I HAVE SPENT A LIFE

KICKING DOWN WALLS BUILT FROM STRIFE

AND NO ONE EVER REALLY CARED

AS I DOWNED PINTS OF NEAT DISPAIR

WITH YOU, SLUMPED AS TWO

A BLACKENED EVENING LED TO RAIN

AND I IGNORED THE BLATANT PAIN

THAT FOLLOWS WHEN I LEAVE THIS PLAIN

OF NORMAL COKE FUELLED ACHEING SHAME

WHICH LED, TO MORE TATTOOS

DO YOU KNOW I NEVER, FOUND MYSELF AGAIN

BUT TRUTH BE TOLD I NEVER TRIED,

STUPIDITY PERSONIFIED, BUT WHY SHOULD I COMPLAIN

THIS IS THE LAST RANTING SONG, I WILL SHARE

AND DO YOU CARE

IT’S MY BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, TAKE MY DARE

AND PROVE YOU CARE

LOOKING BACK ON WORDS I WROTE

MIXED TIME AGAIN WITH STOLEN QUOTES

AND SCREAMED EACH NIGHT BY MY SORE THROAT

I OFTEN MISS OUT THE 8TH NOTE

SO YOU, RAISE VOICES TOO

AS YOU DROWN ME IN APATHY

I MIGHT JUST ADD QUITE CASUALLY

YOU SNAPPED MY VOCAL CHASTITY

IM ON THE ROAD TO BLASPHEMY

ALONE, MY PEER REVIEW

DANCING IN LAYBYS

I DON’T HAVE ANSWERS FOR ALL THESE QUESTIONS

I’M JUST SPEAKING FROM THE TONGUE OF AN EXPERIENCED SIMPLETON

SAT WISHING HE COULD END ALL THE PAIN

THAT HE SAW TODAY

I KNOW WE’LL NEVER RID OUR HOMES OF FIGHTING MEN

AND THE PEACE THAT PEOPLE SEACH WILL JUST DISAPPEAR AGAIN

BEHIND A CURTAIN MADE OF GUNS AND GOLD

WHICH SOMEONE ELSE OWNS

SO I JUST KNOW THAT THERE IS ONE TASK THAT WE CAN DO

TO TRY AND BREAK MONOTONY FOR ME AND YOU

STRETCH THE CORNERS OF YOUR MOUTH AND SMILE WIDE

JUST SMILE WIDE

WHEN YOU’RE SAT DRUNK AND TALKING ON YOUR KITCHEN FLOOR

AT 4AM DISCUSSING ALL ABOUT THIS WORLD AND MORE

WHILE THE OTHER HALF OF THE WORLD ARE LOADING GUNS TO GO TO WAR

EVERYDAY PROMISES GET BROKE BY WEAKER HEARTS

BUT I BELIEVE THAT DANCING GIRL HAS MADE A START

WHILE WE SIT AND WATCH OUR INNOCENCE GET BLOWN APART

AGAIN

SO FORGET A MINUTES SILENCE AND LETS MAKE SOME NOISE

AND DANCE IN DARKENED LAYBYS SOMETHING WE ENJOY

AND TO THOSE WHO MOURN THEIR LIVES WHILE THEY’RE HAPPY TO DESTROY

WE’LL SMILE WIDE 

LYRICS FROM FISHING FOR OWLS

MIDDLE FINGER THANK YOU

HOW OFTEN DO YOU

STARE THRU CAFFIENE EYES AND THINK

WHAT AM I DOING HERE, RIGHT HERE

I'M STUCK IN TRAFFIC

THE CD'S PLAYERS ON REPEAT

PLAYING A SONG THAT I HATE, AND I'VE HATED FOR A YEAR

SO ASK YOURSELF WHAT SHOULD I DO

JUST FLICK A MIDDLE FINGER THANK YOU!

GUILTY OF FAKING SLEEP

ON TRIAL FOR MAKING MY LIFE CHEAP

STILL SCARED TO TAKE THAT LEAP FOR LIFE, FOR MY SAKE

BEAT MYSELF UP AGAIN 

CODEINE AND CONSTANT DOGGED EYESTRAIN

SCARED TO JUMP TO THE UNKNOWN

AND STAND HERE ON MY OWN

YOU TAKE MORE PUNCHES

YOUR STOMACH HURTS FROM BODY BLOWS

YOU LOOK IN VAIN FOR THE WHITE TOWEL, TO BE THROWN

BURIED INSIDE YOU

SMOULDERING THOUGHTS THAT NEVER DIE

REIGNITE THE FIGHT THAT STOPS YOU ASKING WHY AND WHY AND WHY?

STONES

SO TOWER UP ABOVE MY ACHING HEAD

AND RAIN THE MEMORIES DOWN ON ME OF FIGHTING AND BLOODSHED

AND I KNOW, I'LL NEVER BE THE STONES

MY LIFE IS PROSAIC AND ARCANE

I WALK BEYOND THE GRACE OF GODS IN FOOTSTEPS CLEANSED BY RAIN

AND I KNOW, I'LL NEVER BE THE STONES

AND WHEN I'VE GROWN, I'LL DIE HERE ALONE

STANDING STONES PUSH SKYWARDS TOWARDS NIGHT

AS WE CONFUSE THE HERE AND NOW, POMPUS AND ERUDITE

I KNOW I WON'T, I'LL NEVER BE THE STONES

SMALL MINDED, WEAK AND BEATEN AS I STAND

I'LL STILL FALL TO MY KNEES WHEN I REACH SOME PROMISED LAND

I KNOW, I'LL NEVER BE THE STONES

AND WHEN I'VE GROWN, I'LL DIE HERE ALONE

ALL THE STONES, THEY NEVER WILL FALL DOWN

ALL THE STONES, THEY NEVER WILL FALL DOWN

I'M OPEN HANDED WITH ARMS STRETCHED OUT WIDE

MY PLACE IS IN THE WARM EARTH, MY PLACE IS JUSTIFIED

AND I KNOW, I'LL NEVER BE THE STONES

SO WASH ME IN THE RIVER UNTIL IM WASHED AWAY

AND PARTS OF ME ARE SPREAD ACROSS THIS LAND AS I DECAY

I KNOW, I'LL NEVER BE THE STONES

AND WHEN I'VE GROWN, I'LL DIE HERE ALONE

YOU JUST REALLY WANT TO BE ME

I'VEBEEN TOLD, I'M NO LONGER COOL

BUT I'M PRETTY SURE I NEVER WAS

AND THE PERSON THAT SAID IT IS A BIT OF A TOOL

AND I'VE NEVER WORN THE SHARPEST OF CLOTHES

I'M A BIT OF A GEEK IN AS FAR AS THIS GOES

AND I DONT GET THAT OLD HIPSTER LIFESTYLE AS A RULE

SO I'M GOING TO DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING ME

ARE YOU GOING TO JOIN ME AND SING LIKE WE JUST DONT CARE

I'M HAPPY WITH WHO I AM, NONE OF THIS FAKE ASSED SHAM

I JUST DONT GIVE A DAMN BECAUSE I CAN SEE

YOU JUST REALLY WANT TO BE ME

I'LL BE HONEST, MY EYESIGHT IS WORSE

AND I PEE TWICE A NIGHT AND HAIRS GROWING IN PLACES

THAT OTHERS MIGHT SEE AS A CURSE

BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GET IT REMOVED

A MEDAL FOR AGEING, LIKE FINE WINE I'M  MUCH IMPROVED

AND ITS GREAT TO GET OLDER AND HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE

I CAN TELL YOU, I'M NO LONGER CHASING

SOME DREAM MADE OF HOUSES AND CARS AND SWEDISH AU PAIRS

SO GIVE ME A GUITAR, A STAGE AND SOME FRIENDS

A CAMPFIRE SOME SINGING, AND I'M THERE TILL THE END

LETS DRINK UNTIL SUNRISE HAVE MORE LOST WEEKENDS

AND REALIZE WE'LL  NEVER EVER HAVE TO DEFEND

HOMETOWN KING

"You'd attend the opening of an envelope if it had a free bar"

I'M PROUD OF MY HERITAGE

I'M A PROUD SALOPIAN

AND MAYBE ITS BECAUSE IM GETTING OLD

STRIVE FOR POPULARITY

LAYERED DEEP IN FAKE AUSTERITY

I SEE THINGS THAT LEAVE ME FEELING COLD

BUT LIES, DECEIT, AND THOSE FALSE SMILES

THE RACING ROUND LIKE JUVENILES

I WISH THAT I COULD RUN A MILE

IF YOU WANT TO WEAR THAT HOMETOWN CROWN

THEN GO AHEAD, BECAUSE ITS NOT MINE

IT MEANS NOTHING AND I MADE THE WHOLE THING FROM TIN FOIL

SOMETIMES I'M ASHAMED TO BE FROM HERE

BUT TIME HAS CHANGED AND NOW ITS CLEAR

AND I WORKED HARD TO BUILD WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO SPOIL

YOU ONLY MIME THE WORD THAT SUNG

BY THE REAL TALENT BUT YOU CLIMBED A RUNG

TO BE THE FACE ON SOME MEDIA SHOW

DANGLE CARROTS TO TOP UP YOUR TANK

OF POPULARITY AND TO CLIMB THE RANKS

I KEPT THE THRONE WARM, BUT NOW ITS TIME TO LET IT GO

IS IT JUST ME WHO SEES CLEARLY, IS IT JUST ME X 2

WHOSE WAITING HERE FOR YOU TO DISAPPEAR

QUIET BIT / LOUD BIT

ITS ONLY FAILURE IF YOU STOP RIGHT NOW,

BUT IF YOU CARRY ON ITS CALLED EXPERIENCE

SUCCESS TEACHES NOTHING

ALL  IT DOES IS MAKE

SO CALLED SMART PEOPLE

ALL TURN INTO FAKES

BUT SUCCESS, ISN'T FINAL

AND FAILURE'S NO LONGER FATAL

WHAT WE THINK WE WILL BECOME

WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE

DRIVING SLOWLY, BEHIND THE PACE CAR

I'M PRETTY SURE WE'RE ACTING DUMB

I'M GOING TO MAKE A START ON WHAT I HAVE TO DO

THEN MAYBE I WILL GET, TO SPEND AN HOUR WITH YOU,

SO LETS MAKE THIS THING

COMPLICATED

AND SPEND ALL THE DAYS

FRUSTRATED

I CAN FEEL THE BLEED, BEGIN INSIDE MY HEAD

AND AS MY VISION FAILS, I FEEL APPROACHING DEATH

ONE THING THAT I KNOW

AS I LIE HERE

I DID EVERYTHING FEARLESS

NOT A SINGLE OUNCE OF LIFE LEFT HERE

FLOAT ME

FIRE THE GUNS INTO THE TREES FILL CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNINGS

A CONGREGATION ON ITS KNEES, HIDDEN DECEITFUL WARNINGS

SULPHUROUS LIES AND BLASPHEMY, SINK INTO WAVES OF SCORNING

I SCRATCH MY HEAD UNTIL IT BLEEDS, FEEL NORMALITY  RESTORING

ELBOWS WORN ON PARAPETS DELIVER SICKENING GIFTS

I'M CHARGED BY CANCEROUS RAVAGING, IM TIED UP BY THE WRISTS

IMOBILE AND NEGATIVE, I HAVE MY FORHEAD KISSED

I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE THATS NICE

I'M JUST GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE

WHERE THE RAIN CUTS LINES INTO MY FACE

A PUPOSELESS DEFENCE

SO FLOAT ME BELLY UP UNTIL  THE SCARLET DRIPS AWAY

AND I CAN TAKE MY RIGHTFUL PLACE, ON MY, OWN ASCENSION DAY

STAND AND DO WHAT YOU'RE PAID FOR, A USELESS ORNAMENT

AND SING BY NUMBERS EVERY NIGHT TO WAIT FOR PASSED JUDGEMENT

AN EMPTY DEATHLY CEREMONY, KNEE DEEP IN SAW DUST

FEELING LIKE A SPECIMINE, TAKE ON A NERVOUS CHORE,

MORE DIFFICULT AND TEDIOUS THAN WHAT I DID BEFORE

I SCREAM MY LUNGS TO BURNING POINT, I'M NO LONGER CARED FOR

AS LONG AS I DELIVER, LIKE A HARDWORING WHORE

I'M NAILED HERE TO A PIECE OF WOOD COS I KNOW WHATS IN STORE

IF ITS A WASTE OF TIME TO SAY THESE WORDS THEN SING INSTEAD X 4

SO  SING THIS AT MY GRAVESIDE AND CONFIRM THAT I'M DEAD

KID ON A BRIDGE

YOU'RE A BODY ON THE GROUND

A PILE OF BROKEN BITS THAT SOMEONE WALKING A DOG HAS JUST FOUND

AFTER STEPPING INTO YOUR KNOWN

DID YOU ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, DID IT LEAVE YOU FEELING ALONE?

I SOUND ANGRY COS I AM

HOW DID YOUR LIFE END SO DAMNED

I KNOW YOU COULDN'T CALL ME

BUT I PROMISE YOU THAT I'D HAVE BEEN THERE TO HELP YOU

SEE CLEARLY

BUT YOU'D NOT GOT MY NUMBER

AND WHO KNOWS IF WE'D MET, YOU MIGHT JUST FORGET

WHATEVER PAIN CAUSED YOU TO END THE TORMENT

AND BE COME

JUST ANOTHER KID STEPPING OFF A BRIDGE

I CAN SEE THE LIGHT FROM YOUR GRAVE

WERE YOU STUPID OR SELFISH, WERE YOU JUST A COWARD OR BRAVE

I'VE BEEN ON THAT LEDGE BEFORE

BUT AN ARMY OF FRIENDS AROUND ME, GAVE ME THE HELP I ASKED FOR

I JUST WISH I COULD HAVE KNOWN

THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY, OR THE ACTIONS TO TAKE THAT STOPPED YOU HITTING THE STONE

NOW YOU HAVE REACHED THE END

BUT FOR EVERYONE ELSE ITS JUST STARTED, YOU AND ME SHOULD HAVE BEEN FRIENDS

I WILL NEVER BE A PIRATE

NOW I COULD BE A PIRATE BUT YOU'D SEE THAT I WAS FAKE

I COULD BE LIKE MARY BERRY BUT IM FUCKED COS I CAN'T BAKE

I COULD BE LIKE SIMON COWELL AND WEAR MY TROUSERS HIGH

BUT I THINK I'D RATHER LAY DOWN HERE AND DIE

NOW POSSIBLY BECAUSE I PLAY AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR

I COULD WEAR SOME SKINNY JEANS AND THEN BECOME A REAL BIG STAR

LIKE SHEERAN, BUGG OR EZRA, BUT WITH A TAD MORE FLAIR

LETS BE HONEST WOULD ANY OF YOU CARE

SO I'LL STAY AS ME

AND RELISH IN THIS UNANNOUNCED GREATNESS AND STAY FREE

ITS BECOME WIDESPREAD

SO I'LL NEVER BE A PIRATE, COS THEY'RE ALREADY DEAD

SO I'LL WEAR ANY CLOTHES I WANT IM SET IM IN THE BLOCKS

THE ONLY TIME I'LL DRAW THE LINE IS I WILL NOT WEAR CROCS

I'VE JUST REPLACED MY BAJA AFTER A LONG 20 YEARS

I BOUGHT IT TO MOP UP MY SPILT BEERS

I REMEMBER THE SUN PULL OUT ABOUT HOW TO DRESS A PUNK

WITH TARTAN PANTS AND MOWHAWKS, SAFETY PINS AND THEN GET DRUNK

I THOUGHT THEY'VE MISSED THE POINT HERE, ITS A PERFECT VIOLENT STORM

TO PUT PUNK IN SOME SHIT UNIFORM

I GUESS WHAT I AM RATTLING ON ABOUT TO YOU MY FRIENDS

IT'S JUST MY OWN OPINION, SO PLEASE DONT TAKE OFFENCE

I'LL NEVER BE A PIRATE, IT'S A LESSON I WAS TAUGHT

IM GOING TO BE A FUCKING ASTRONAUT